KTM Reveals “Gray Market” Motorcycles

May 27, 2005

KTM North America, Inc., says it has discovered that motorcycles manufactured by KTM Sportmotorcycles of Austria have been imported from Europe directly by private individuals.
KTM North America, Inc. is the exclusive North American distributor of KTM Sportmotorcycles, and only KTM North America, Inc. possesses the official Certificates of Conformity and Executive Orders required to legally import a new KTM motorcycle into the United States or Canada. So-called “gray market” motorcycles do not meet safety and emissions regulations in the United States or Canada.
In a prepared statement sent to KTM dealers, the company says: “Only KTM motorcycles imported and distributed by KTM North America, Inc. and sold at retail by one of over 440 authorized dealerships throughout the United States and Canada are covered by the KTM warranty. Further, these are the only motorcycles that KTM North America, Inc. accepts responsibility for compliance with all regulations.
“Neither KTM North America, Inc., nor KTM Sportmotorcycle of Austria, will provide warranty coverage or service for motorcycles located in the United States and Canada which have not been sold through an authorized KTM retail dealer.
“KTM North America, Inc. its officers and directors, subsidiaries and affiliated companies emphatically state that they are not responsible in any way for KTM motorcycles located in the United States that have not been imported by KTM North America, Inc. and sold through an authorized KTM dealer.”